Exercise equipment; your must have...

karijoeide
karijoeide Posts: 103
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi fellow MFP members, looking for your feedback. I am looking to invest in some good quality exercise equipment as the upcoming winter months in Minnesota get long and drawn out. I have free weights, I also do alot of DVD's, circuit training etc. What is your must have piece of exercise equipment, the brand and approximate price?! Thanks for your feedback!!
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Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    What are you goals? Hard to make good suggestions without knowing that, but speaking very generally I say:

    - a squat rack/cage
    - a flat bench
    - barbell and plates
    - a pull-up bar
    - a dip station
    - a good pair of running sneakers
  • michelegurr
    michelegurr Posts: 55 Member
    I say this in all seriousness: Wii gaming system! This is the thing that has saved my bacon since beginning my MFP journey! It has gotten me off the life sucking couch and into action. The Just Dance games are a serious cardio workout. And it's fun, doesn't take up much room (I have a VERY small house - no room for actual fitness equipment unless it could fold under a bed). The best part is I am about bored enough with my current regime to either add a game or brush the dust off of my other cardio DVD's I'm sad to say I have watched to see how difficult they were before I attempted them and put them back on the shelf! NOW I actually feel as though I could make it through one, and I'm only down 15 lbs!
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    What I would recommend as my "must have" home gym equipment is entirely dependent upon whether or not you have the luxury of being able to devote a whole room to converting into a gym. You can get by without the things that jacksonpt said (which are really only viable if you can afford to devote a whole room to turning into a gym), but it's not ideal and requires a lot of unorthodox equipment and training techniques.

    That being said, four pieces of equipment I recommend to anyone regardless of goals:

    Sandbags
    Suspension trainer
    Jump rope
    Kettlebells
  • michelegurr
    michelegurr Posts: 55 Member
    PS just for common interest - I was born in Minnesota, grew up in Minneapolis! LOL Small world! I live in the high desert of Southern Utah no wand am an official desert rat, but still miss the seasons and greenery etc.!
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    dedication

    everything else is secondary.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    What I would recommend as my "must have" home gym equipment is entirely dependent upon whether or not you have the luxury of being able to devote a whole room to converting into a gym. You can get by without the things that jacksonpt said (which are really only viable if you can afford to devote a whole room to turning into a gym), but it's not ideal and requires a lot of unorthodox equipment and training techniques.

    That being said, four pieces of equipment I recommend to anyone regardless of goals:

    Sandbags
    Suspension trainer
    Jump rope
    Kettlebells

    Agreed. Goals, budget, space limitations, etc all impact what is "ideal" for any individual person.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    I have a treadmill, elliptical and an exercise bike along with weights, and a hoist machine, dvd's etc.

    I find the treadmill gets used about 3 or 4 times more than any other piece of equipment we have. I do prefer to walk or run outside but in WI it makes it a bit tougher. It is dark when i get home from work from now until spring and i am in the country so no street lights.

    We have had ours for about 7 or 8 years and bought a good one at the time. I think it was around $1500. (i don't remember the name brand off the top of my head). I would not go cheap on one because they can last you a long time. (my elliptical and bike are cheaper though and work fine). You could always try to find a good used one too, there are plenty of them out there.

    But whatever you think you will use the most is what i would get.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Other than the TV, DVDs and free weights that you already have:

    A good pair of hiking shoes - about $100 on sale (currently North Face, but whatever is comfortable for your feet)
    Yoga mat - $10 (brand unknown)
    A few good exercise bras - $25 ea (Moving Comfort Mia)

    I have some other things, but these are the only things I consider 'must haves' and use regularly.

    ETA: I just noticed you ask for brands.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    By the way, i do not devote a whole room to an exercise room. I put all my pieces of equipment in the family room in the basement. I always felt if i had to go in a room by myself i would not use it. It was put where the rest of the family likes to hang so i could be with them when i work out.

    I tried to buy the quietest treadmill for this reason too but it is still kind of loud. They dealt with it ok though.
  • Chainbreaker
    Chainbreaker Posts: 124 Member
    What I would recommend as my "must have" home gym equipment is entirely dependent upon whether or not you have the luxury of being able to devote a whole room to converting into a gym. You can get by without the things that jacksonpt said (which are really only viable if you can afford to devote a whole room to turning into a gym), but it's not ideal and requires a lot of unorthodox equipment and training techniques.

    That being said, four pieces of equipment I recommend to anyone regardless of goals:

    Sandbags
    Suspension trainer
    Jump rope
    Kettlebells

    Agreed. Goals, budget, space limitations, etc all impact what is "ideal" for any individual person.

    I concur with where these guys are going. Personally I always recommend kettlebells first, followed by sandbags and good quality resistance bands. *Make sure you get educated in their proper use for safety and effectiveness.

    A good punching bag (think Wave-master style standing bag) can add another dimension, relieve the stress of being caged all winter, and can be easily moved into a corner when not in use.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    If I were to build a home gym and had the money, I'd invest in a JONES rack. Unlike a Smith machine, it's tracks move not only vertically, but later horizontally as well thereby following the natural motion of someones movement along with the safety of racking hooks.jones_zps2de0a93c.jpg

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Mr_Excitement
    Mr_Excitement Posts: 833 Member
    You can do a LOT with a good set of dumbells and a pullup bar.

    The pullup bar will cost you $20 new, and the dumbells you can get on Craigslist for a fraction of what you'd pay new.

    A jump rope is another great idea, as mentioned up-thread.
  • DaddyBeejay
    DaddyBeejay Posts: 22
    Like previous comments, it really depends on your fitness goals.

    I'm primarily a cyclist. With that being said I have the following in a dedicated exercise room:
    Keep in mind that I started with only a trainer for my bike and couple of homemade sand bags, the only thing I have that was purchased new and not a "Yard Sale" find or a hand me down was the spin bike!

    Spinbike
    Treadmill
    Bowflex Cross Bow
    Olympic weights & bar (375 lbs)
    Dumb bells
    Pull up bar
    Jump Rope
    Huge green ball
    Resistance bands
    Flatscreen TV
    DVD player
  • getphit09
    getphit09 Posts: 24 Member
    My best piece of equipment I have found is my body weight, lots of determination and self-motivation. I have invested in much equipment (t-mill, recumbent bike, gizelle, basic weight bench, free weights, wavemaster bag for kickboxing, dvd's -I'm an infomercial dvd junkie). I do have a room dedicated to this equipment, but I rarely use most of it except the t-mill and the wavemaster (my newest toy). I like to change things up b/c i get bored so I like bootcamp style workouts where things change and the workouts are more physical. I have a home-made listing of different body weight workouts that I use to change up routines. I play workout dvd's (so someone else is working out too ..lol ), loud music, and do my own thing. On any given day my workout can be different. Hope this helps!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    *My* must haves are a barbell, plates, a bench and a power cage, (plus dumbbells which is less of a must but a strong preference).


    However, these are not everyone's must haves.

    Yours should depend on what you enjoy (plus budget and space constraints).
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If I were to build a home gym and had the money, I'd invest in a JONES rack. Unlike a Smith machine, it's tracks move not only vertically, but later horizontally as well thereby following the natural motion of someones movement along with the safety of racking hooks.jones_zps2de0a93c.jpg

    ** hijack **

    Have you ever used one? We had something very similar from Hoist (both vertical and horizontal slides), but it never worked as well in reality as it seemed like it should have in concept. Just wondering if different brands/models do work well.
  • sunnyhlw77
    sunnyhlw77 Posts: 204 Member
    I like my exercise bike, treadmill and weights.
  • 40andFindingFitness
    40andFindingFitness Posts: 497 Member
    Must haves:

    Legs - walking
    Treadmill - same plus a sad little jog that I do
    DVD player - Hello there Shaun T (love his programs)
    Free weights - I use them when I workout at home
    Resistance bands - In love with these for leg lifts
    Wii - I play Wii fitness and regular games with the kids. Nothing like a video game that requires standing, running, and dancing to get you going.
  • CantonMan1234
    CantonMan1234 Posts: 142 Member
    The best exercise equipment you can get for yourself is something that you WILL use. Not might, not maybe, not this looks good, not this looks cute, but something that you can and will devote the time you set aside to exercise. You know you and your home and the rhythm of your home. The best equipment in the world is useless if it doesn't get used and a set of soup cans and old clothesline can be used to drop pounds and add endurance.
    You, your mind, your imagination and your determination are the best things I can suggest.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Shakeweight.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    I have:

    exercise ball~Walmart I think it's around $15 to $20
    mat~Walmart~$10 to $15
    jump rope~Walmart~$5 to $10
    adjustable weight bench, $49.99 (Walmart online) Gold's gym
    barbell w/weight plates, around $40 at Sports Authority (ETA-just the barbell)
    dumbbells~ (Walmart and other types of sports equipment stores, $5-$100, the heavier they are the more expensive they are, this also includes weight plates).
    Ankle weights~20 pds each, Walmart online, $19.99 a pair
    Next thing I would like to get is a squat rack, they run $100 or more.

    Hope this helps. :flowerforyou:
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    If I were to build a home gym and had the money, I'd invest in a JONES rack. Unlike a Smith machine, it's tracks move not only vertically, but later horizontally as well thereby following the natural motion of someones movement along with the safety of racking hooks.jones_zps2de0a93c.jpg

    ** hijack **

    Have you ever used one? We had something very similar from Hoist (both vertical and horizontal slides), but it never worked as well in reality as it seemed like it should have in concept. Just wondering if different brands/models do work well.

    I can tell just by looking at the design that it won't work as well in reality.
  • karijoeide
    karijoeide Posts: 103
    Thank you for all your suggestions and feedback I appreciate it!
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    - a squat rack/cage
    - a flat bench
    - barbell and plates
    - a pull-up bar

    This would be my list, and in most cases a decent power rack will include a pull-up bar as part of the frame. I got mine on amazon for about $300, and you can get a flat bench on Craigslist for about $20 and an olympic weight set on Craigslist for a couple hundred usually.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I am definitely asking for a kettle bell and a HRM for Christmas. lol, I believe that last year I just asked family members to all give me shoes.
  • Angel03744
    Angel03744 Posts: 74 Member
    I have...
    "Dynamics Treadmill" - £600
    "Dynamics Exercise Bike - £169
    "Confidence Kettle bell 4 piece set" - £29.99
    "York Women's Dumb bells " - £19.99
    " ActivRoma HT Mountain Bike" - £369
    Various other bits Like Yoga Ball, Tension bands,

    Did have a Carl Lewis Row machine and York fitness x730 cross trainer < but changed to treadmill and X bike >

    It does not really matter what you have, how much they cost as long as you actually use them!
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    You can do a LOT with a good set of dumbells and a pullup bar.

    The pullup bar will cost you $20 new, and the dumbells you can get on Craigslist for a fraction of what you'd pay new.

    On a limited budget, definitely the above. Get enough plates for the DBs and it'll keep you going for a while. You can squeeze 6x10kg plates on a DB. Use two for Bulgarian squats and destroy your legs.
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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    If I were to build a home gym and had the money, I'd invest in a JONES rack. Unlike a Smith machine, it's tracks move not only vertically, but later horizontally as well thereby following the natural motion of someones movement along with the safety of racking hooks.jones_zps2de0a93c.jpg

    ** hijack **

    Have you ever used one? We had something very similar from Hoist (both vertical and horizontal slides), but it never worked as well in reality as it seemed like it should have in concept. Just wondering if different brands/models do work well.
    When I worked in VA, they had a Hammer Strength one and an actual Jones one at GMU. Both worked fine, however one of them stated that highest load could only be 500lbs.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I don't have one "MUST" but some favorites/stand-bys over the years:

    * Fitbit
    * Kettlebells
    * Jumpsport rebounder
    * Treadmill

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